almost a charivari

View from a Rhino House: head of state

In fun-loving North Korea men are now required to get the same haircut as their leader Kim Jong-un, it was reported yesterday.

Apparently the state’s tonsorial guidelines were introduced in the capital Pyongyang about two weeks ago & are now being rolled out across the country.

Not everyone is a fan, “Our leader’s haircut is very particular, if you will,” one (anonymous) commentator said. “It doesn’t always go with everyone since everyone has different face & head shapes.” (Look to see new state guidelines on these shortly.)

It seems (from exhaustive ThursdayAgain research) that haircuts have been state-approved in North Korea for some years – women are only allowed to choose from 18 styles & men were previously only allowed a choice from10 (now, of course, reduced to a more manageable, single “option”). Not forgetting, of course, North Korea’s state TV campaign against long hair, called “Let us trim our hair in accordance with the Socialist lifestyle”.

Late leader Kim Jong-il, who ruled North Korea for 17 years, sported a bouffant hairstyle, reportedly in order to look taller, or more likely just because he liked a good laugh.

“I don’t know why you guys all insisted on the dopey hats. I think it’s a style that could really catch on….”